OBX 2015

In the middle of August, we headed down to the OBX for our 5th year in a row with the same group.  Here is our annual footprint photo:

The first morning started off with a treasure hunt from the OBX Pirates.  The kids were very focused on the guys who were reading the pirate story behind me:

The Felt boys getting ready for the treasure hunt:

The clues led us all throughout the house and eventually out the beach to find the "X" spot where the treasure would be buried:

And they found it - let the digging begin:

Trying to get it out of the sand:

Later in the day, the guys began the boogie-boarding club:

A minor miracle was all of the children in one photo at once.  From left to right:
Kaylee, Autumn, Wyatt, Ian, Shane, Keira, Evan, Eric & Chase

Brothers:

And our full house:

Dads out in the ocean with their kids on their shoulders:

Jumping some very big waves:

Burying their feet in the sand (Keira, Evan & Wyatt):

Evan loves boogie-boarding, though the waves were a little rough when we were there:

And right after this shot, he went under:

The girls went out for a girl's day and came home to all of the kids sitting, unattended, with bottles of alcohol in their hands :)

Family photo shoot.  Not posting our best one here yet as we may end up using it as our Christmas card (because we are very unoriginal :)

 Brothers again:

My baby:

Flying kites at sunset:

Notice to the far right, the very dark clouds.  About 2 minutes after we got all of the kites up in the air, the sky opened up and it started pouring.  Next time, lesson learned that we'll need to check the forecast before going out to fly kites:

More boogie-boarding:

The boys absolutely love to play mini-golf.  We went with the large group one day but then also went with just our family a second time:

A little spike ball on the beach:

And last is my favorite photo of the week, taken by our friend Sean with his underwater camera:

All in all, it was a great week and we are already discussing going back next year!

Keuka 2015

Immediately following our move, we headed off to our annual long weekend at Keuka Lake.  This year, Janet & Vinnie have their very own place so we had a change of venue.  The kids were very happy to be hanging out with their Nana, Papa, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Evan was thrilled to be with Morgan:

And Deedee & Pops joined us for 2 nights this year too:

The cutest picture of these cousins:

Nana & Deedee with their "granddaughter":

Eric on the dock:

 Jumping off the new trampoline:

 Uncle Colin was the "taxi" for Eric, who didn't like getting wet:

Everybody hanging out on the trampoline:

The grandparents together:

And now the grandkids:

Out on the boat:

Sparklers at sunset:

More cousin pictures:

My family:

One of my favorite pictures of the summer:

Mr Cool in his sunglasses:

Continuing the photo session:

Cousins again:

Sisters:

Sparklers at the end of the second night:

 

We had an amazing time at the lake and even were able to make a second trip back this year for Labor Day!

4th of July & Evan's First 1-Mile Race

For the 4th of July, we were able to head to Cranford and take part in the annual race which happens on the morning of the 4th.  Last year, I ran the 4 mile race for the first (and maybe last) time.  This year, Evan, Brian and I ran the one-mile fun run together . . . or I should say, we intended to run it together.  Evan went out to a fast start and I kept warning him to slow down and take his time, that we had a long way to go.  Eventually, I let Brian and him go ahead of me, figuring I'd catch up to them when he ended up slowing down.  Well, sure enough, he never did slow down and I never did catch up!  Matthew ran it too and beat all of us.  Here the cousins are before the race:

Running by my parents house on Springfield Ave:

Very proud, with their ribbons

 And a collage of the day:

And here is Eric in his red, white and blue for the 4th:

Since my parents are considering selling their house in the next year, that may have been our last 4th of July on Springfield Ave :(